Drink: Some lovely flavored tea from Aftelier, received as an early Christmas present from a friend. And a cocktail called the “Ms. Scarlet” at Bar Sepia in Brooklyn (gin, St. Germain, maraschino, club soda).

Beauty Products: Due to a sudden worsening of a mysterious recurring facial rash, I’ve been forced to stop using anything except CeraVe cleanser and moisturizer, plus prescription creams/ointments. Just temporarily, I hope. Sadness.

Purchase: A new Moleskine datebook for 2016. Plus Christmas gifts for friends and family, of course.

Pleasure: Teaching another perfume class at the Brooklyn Brainery. More to come in 2016, I hope! Also, a productive and fulfilling first month in my new “day job.”

Worry: How to start writing a brief catalogue entry about a giant like Rothko?

Stray Thought: Having smelled real frankincense, I can now understand why it was one of the Three Kings’ gifts to the Christ Child.